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Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Sir Gawain

Youngest of the Knights of the Round Table and King Arthur's nephew. Sir Gawain is often portrayed as fiercely loyal to king and family, a friend to young knights, the defender of the poor, and the champion of maidens. He is known to be a courteous and compassionate warrior, yet formidable & courageous.

Directors

voice directed by David Rane of Vinegar Hill Productionsanimation directed by Tim Fernée of Moving Still Productions

Crew

Paul Shanahan (animation), Laura Forrest-Hay (music), Scott McDonnell (art & colour) The film was produced in Dublin over 18 months from 2001 to 2002

Synopsis

It begins at the New Year's feast at King Arthur's court when a mysterious stranger arrives. The Green Knight challenges any knight to strike him with his axe if he will take a return blow in a year and a day. King Arthur rashly accepts the beheading contest. Sir Gawain steps forward to accept the challenge in his stead. Gawain beheads the Green Knight in one blow, at which the Green Knight stands up, picks up his head, and reminds Gawain to meet him at the Green Chapel at the appointed time.To preserve the integrity of King Arthur's Court, Gawain journeys to the Green Chapel and comes upon the castle of Lord Bertilak and his beautiful wife who offers the weary hero lodging. Bertilak tells his guest that every day, they should exchange gifts. Bertilak would give Gawain gifts from his hunt, while Gawain could give his host anything he would win in his castle.Each night, Lady Bertilak enters Gawain's bedchamber, seducing him aggressively. Gawain receives her kisses with discretion, at once not wanting to insult her by refusing her advances and not wanting to betray the hospitality of her husband. Gawain parries her advances with gentlemanly skill and when Lord Bertilak returns to the castle offering his game as a gift, he would receive kisses from Gawain. On the third night, the lady requests his gloves as a token of love in return for her ring. Gawain refuses the ring, but accepts a green silk girdle only because she says it is an enchanted talisman that would protect him from harm.On New Year's Day, Gawain finds the Green Knight in front of the Green Chapel and Gawain offers his neck as agreed. When the axe comes down, Gawain flinches and the Green Knight misses. The Green Knight taunts Gawain for flinching, so Gawain promises not to flinch for the second blow. However, the axe misses again. The third blow from the axe draws a small nick of blood from Gawain's neck. Gawain rises angrily and tells the Green Knight that he had his chance and the game is over. The Green Knight reveals himself as Lord Bertilak and explains that it was Morgan Le Fay who instigated the beheading game and his wife's game of seduction was a test of his honour. The first two blows were feinted because Gawain's chivalric manners toward his wife were beyond reproach. The glancing third blow was for his dishonesty with the girdle. Gawain feels shame, confessing it is his love for his own life that caused him to accept the girdle. Bertilak comforts Gawain and let's him keep the girdle. At Camelot, Gawain confesses his shame to King Arthur and cries he isn't worthy. He wears the green girdle as his badge of shame. Arthur finds little fault with Gawain and declares everyone should wear a green sash (thereby creating the Order of the Garter) as no one can attain Gawain's perfect ideals of chivalry. King Arthur declares Sir Gawain the most perfect of all knights.

Script by Penélope Middleboe & Martin LambBased on a late 14th century Middle English alliterative poem by an unknown author

Award

The 2002 Children's BAFTA Award for Best Animation

Reviews

Spectacular to look at, evocative, moving, dream-like, eerily unsettling (in the best possible way), and beautiful from start to finish.Sir Gawain and the Green Knight has been one of the greatest iconic English Christmas fables since its appearance as a narrative poem more than six hundred years ago. This animated adaptation taps beautifully into that medieval heritage by framing its images in the style of stained glass illuminations. The effect transports you into a world of medieval myth and fable, as if you were observing a narrative tableau on the ancient windows of a Gothic cathedral. Rarely in the world of animated film have reds, greens and blues looked so lush, bright and expressionistic.